Wilmots also claimed that Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli had gone easy on Messi during the game.

"I don't want to be a cry baby, but every time there is a little foul it was always in favour of Argentina," he said. "Every time something happens with Messi, the referee gives him a free kick.

"I notice he made three fouls and no yellow card; we made one foul and one yellow card."

Higuain's goal came when Belgium centre-back Vincent Kompany was caught out of position, allowing the Napoli striker to smash the ball into the corner of the net on the turn.

Wilmots added: "We make a small, small mistake -- Vincent comes out of position and they score.

"I'm very proud of the boys. I have told them: 'You guys are the youngest of all the last-eight teams.' There was a great deal of emotion, some of my staff were crying in the dressing room, because there is so much passion."